Dynamic audio input filtering for multi-device systems

Abstract

A method for audio coordination. The method includes connecting electronic devices to a communication session. Distinct signals are assigned to each of the electronic devices. Input streams are established from one or more of the electronic devices. Signals are detected within the input streams. One or more electronic devices are selected for eliminating input streams based on an audio fidelity threshold.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for audio coordination, comprising:
 connecting a plurality of electronic devices to a communication session;   assigning distinct signals to each of the plurality of electronic devices;   establishing input streams from one or more of the plurality of electronic devices;   detecting signals within the input streams; and   selecting one or more electronic devices for eliminating input streams based on an audio fidelity threshold.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising signaling the selected one or more electronic devices to terminate input streams to other electronic devices. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coordinating with the plurality of electronic devices to terminate redundant input streams. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining timing offset based on network latency;   adjusting and filtering redundant waveforms of detected signals in input streams based on the determined timing offset and determined signal strength to compensate for the latency;   mixing input streams for recreating an audible space; and   streaming the mixed input streams to one or more of the plurality of electronic devices.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 determining if one or more previously detected signals within input streams are currently undetected; and   ceasing filtering of previously filtered redundant waveforms.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the audio fidelity threshold is based on detected signal strength. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of electronic devices coordinates elimination of input streams based on the audio fidelity threshold. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a centralized coordinator coordinates elimination of input streams based on the audio fidelity threshold and manages network connections to the plurality of electronic devices. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication session is one of a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) session, a karaoke session or an audio recording session. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 combining multiple waveforms for audio output from one or more electronic devices.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of electronic devices are mobile electronic devices. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus comprising:
 a coordinator device that manages audio input for a plurality of connected client devices, the coordinator device comprising:   a signal generator that generates and associates a distinct waveform for each connected client device;   a signal detector that detects signal power and waveforms present within audio streams from the plurality of client devices;   a signal analyzer that analyzes the detected waveforms and determines a particular client device that transmitted a detected waveform based on an associated waveform for the particular client device; and   an input signal selector that selects one or more client devices to cease streaming input to peer client devices based on audio fidelity.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the coordinator device coordinates with the plurality of connected client devices to terminate redundant input streams. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the coordinator device determines a timing offset based on network latency, filters redundant waveforms of detected signals in input streams based on the determined timing offset and determined signal strength, mixes input streams for recreating an audible space, and streams the mixed input streams to one or more of the plurality of connected client devices. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the signal detector determines if one or more previously detected signals within input streams are currently undetected, and the input signal selector ceases filtering of previously filtered redundant waveforms. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the input signal selector determines one or more client devices to cease streaming input to peer client devices using an audio fidelity threshold based on detected signal strength. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of connected client devices are connected to one of a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) session, a karaoke session or an audio recording session. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the coordinator device combines multiple waveforms for audio output from one or more connected client devices. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein one or more of the plurality of connected client devices are mobile electronic devices. 
     
     
         20 . A client device comprising:
 a connection manager that manages connections to one or more peer devices joined in a communication session;   a stream manager that manages audio streams including preparing audio streams for transmission or output;   a mixer that combines multiple audio streams into a single audio stream; and   a synchronizer that uses timing information embedded within the audio streams sent from other peer devices for synchronizing playback of the audio streams and increasing audio fidelity within an audible space for peer devices within close proximity to one another.   
     
     
         21 . The client device of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a recorder that provides the audio input stream; and   a player that outputs audio streams and uses the synchronizer to coordinate with peer devices within the audible space.   
     
     
         22 . The client device of  claim 21 , wherein each peer device is assigned a distinct signal by a coordinator device, wherein the coordinator device comprises one of a central coordinator device and a coordinator client device, wherein the assigned distinct signals are used for determining a particular peer device that transmitted a waveform. 
     
     
         23 . The client device of  claim 22 , wherein the communication session comprises one of a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) session, a karaoke session or an audio recording session. 
     
     
         24 . The client device of  claim 23 , wherein the client device coordinates with peer devices to terminate redundant input streams. 
     
     
         25 . The client device of  claim 24 , wherein the coordinator device determines timing offset based on network latency, filters redundant waveforms of detected signals in input streams based on the determined timing offset and determined signal strength, mixes input streams for recreating an audible space and streams the mixed input streams to one or more of the peer devices. 
     
     
         26 . The client device of  claim 25 , wherein the coordinator device determines if one or more previously detected signals within input streams are currently undetected, and ceases filtering of previously filtered redundant waveforms. 
     
     
         27 . The client device of  claim 26 , wherein one or more of the peer devices coordinates elimination of input streams based on an audio fidelity threshold, and the coordinator device combines multiple waveforms for audio output from one or more peer devices. 
     
     
         28 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions which when executed on a computer perform a method comprising:
 connecting a plurality of electronic devices to a communication session;   assigning distinct signals to each of the plurality of electronic devices;   establishing input streams from one or more of the plurality of electronic devices;   detecting signals within the input streams; and   selecting one or more electronic devices for eliminating input streams based on an audio fidelity threshold.   
     
     
         29 . The medium of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 signaling the selected one or more electronic devices to terminate input streams to other electronic devices; and   coordinating with the plurality of electronic devices to terminate redundant input streams.   
     
     
         30 . The medium of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 determining timing offset based on network latency;   filtering redundant waveforms of detected signals in input streams based on the determined timing offset and determined signal strength;   mixing input streams for recreating an audible space;   streaming the mixed input streams to one or more of the plurality of electronic devices;   determining if one or more previously detected signals within input streams are currently undetected; and   ceasing filtering of previously filtered redundant waveforms.